NCT07001046

Impact of Mobile App-Based Exercises on Rectus Diastasis in Women Undergoing Cesarean Birth

Effect of Mobile App-Based Exercises on Diastasis Rectus Abdominis in Post-Cesarean Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: South Valley University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 25 Years – 35 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Diastasis recti abdominis, or rectus diastasis, is the separation of the two parts of the rectus abdominis muscle along the midline of the linea alba, without any visible defect in the fascia. Diastasis recti abdominis is most frequent during pregnancy and postpartum especially, after cesarean birth.

Detailed description

Cesarean births were linked to significant post-operative changes in the thickness of abdominal fasciae and muscles when compared to vaginal births and these changes may be involved in the higher rates of diastasis recti post-cesarean births. Managing diastasis recti abdominis begins with its diagnosis, followed by targeted interventions. Diagnosis usually involves manual palpation to estimate the gap between the rectus abdominis muscles along the tendinous sheet of the linea alba. Updated imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound, are now more frequently used for diagnosis. Treatment either surgical or conservative; emphasizes physical therapy and personalized exercise programs. This method targets strengthening specific core muscles, such as the transverse abdominis and the pelvic floor.

Conditions

• Diastasis Recti and Weakness of the Linea Alba

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Mobile app-directed exercise program	The mobile app-guided exercise program initially asks the mother questions to collect information. These questions were about their motivation for exercise, the main exercise goal, and the area of focus in the exercise program
OTHER	Traditional Abdominal Exercises	The traditional abdominal exercises program consisted of simple static abdominal exercises, graduated curl-ups, and corrected abdominal crunches with posterior pelvic tilting

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-04-01
• Primary completion: 2023-10-01
• Completion: 2024-03-26
• First posted: 2025-06-03
• Last updated: 2025-08-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Egypt